Snap flier

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a toy airplane having a configured body. A leaf spring made of a layered flexible stainless steel bistable spring band is positioned below a pair of wings. Secured on either side of the body is a fuselage section that has a head portion and an elongated member extending from the head portion. The wings along with the leaf spring is configured to be bent and positioned into at least one configuration which because of the nature of the leaf spring are maintained in the at least one configuration until re-positioned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toy airplanes.

BACKGROUND ART

While toy airplanes are well known and well developed there is always a continual need for improvements. The present invention improves upon the typical toy airplane by adding features that can be used to enhance the enjoyment and increase activities available with the use of the toy airplane.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a toy airplane in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The toy airplane includes a body shaped to generally include a central body section, a nose, a tail section, and a pair of wings. A leaf spring is positioned below the body along the pair of wings. A pair of fuselages are positioned on either side of the body. Each fuselage includes a head portion and an elongated member extending from the head portion. The head portions are sized to receive at least a portion of the nose of the body, while the elongated members are positioned along the central body section of the body. The pair of fuselages further include attachments extending through the body to secure the pair of fuselages to each other. The wings having the leaf spring can be configured to be bent and positioned into at least one configuration which because of the nature of the leaf spring are maintained in the at least one configuration until re-positioned. The leaf spring is in one embodiment a layered flexible stainless steel bistable spring band.

In another embodiment there is provided a toy airplane comprising a body shaped to generally include a central body section, a nose, a tail section, and a pair of wings. A leaf spring made from a layered flexible stainless steel bistable spring band is secured to the pair of wings. A pair of fuselages are positioned on either side of the body. Each fuselage includes a head portion and an elongated member extending from the head portion. The head portions are sized to receive at least a portion of the nose of the body and the elongated members are positioned along the central body section of the body. The pair of fuselages further including attachments extending through the body to secure the pair of fuselages to each other. In addition, a weight having an aperture theretrough is positioned such that a pin extending from the head portion above the nose is configured to fit within the aperture. The wings along with the leaf spring is configured to be bent and positioned into at least one configuration which because of the nature of the leaf spring are maintained in the at least one configuration until re-positioned.

In yet another embodiment there is provided a toy airplane having a fuselage body shaped to generally include a central body section, a nose, and a tail section. A leaf spring is secured to the fuselage and extends to form a pair of wings. The leaf spring is a layered flexible stainless steel bistable spring band such that the pair of wings defined by the leaf spring is configured to be bent and positioned into at least one configuration which because of the nature of the leaf spring are maintained in the at least one configuration until re-positioned.

Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an airplane in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the assembled airplane from FIGS. 1; and

FIG. 3-FIG. 6 provide various illustrated views of the airplane with the wings in various configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or the embodiments illustrated.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, there is provided a toy airplane generally referenced as 100 and defined in accordance with one of the embodiments of the present invention. Airplane 100 generally includes a body 110 shaped to include generally a central body section 112, a nose 114, a tail section 116, and a pair of wings 118. The body is substantially planar and thus relatively flat.

Positioned below the body and transverse to a longitudinal centerline 120 of the fuselage 112 is a leaf spring 130. The leaf spring 130 is also well known as a slap or snap bracelet. The leaf spring 130 consists of a layered flexible stainless steel bistable spring bands sealed within a fabric or plastic cover 135, plastic spring bands may also be used. The leaf spring 130 can be straightened out, creating tension within the springy bands and then curved at relative positions along its length (discussed below).

The body is further sandwiched between a top fuselage 140 and a bottom fuselage 150. The top and bottom fuselages both include a head portion 142/152 shaped to match the nose 114 and an elongated member 144/154 which when assembled position about the central body section 112 of the airplane 100. Female/Male attachments 156 are provided in the top and bottom fuselages 140/150 to help secure the two together. Openings 158 are provided along the central body section 112 and about the nose to accommodate the male attachments 156.

Positioned about the top fuselage 140 in the head portion 142 is a weight 155 to help with various flight characteristics. The weight 155 would include an aperture 157 and is captures within a pin 160 extending downwardly through the aperture 157, through an opening 158 and into a receiver opening 162. An elastic band 170 is further positioned such that it is secured about the pin 160 and captured in the head portions 142/152 of the fuselages 140/150. In addition the head portions 142/152 may include a channel 172 to allow the elastic band 170 to extend out from the head portions.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6 when assembled, the wings 118 with the leaf spring 130 positioned thereon can be bent about various snap configurations, which because of the nature of the leaf spring 130 are maintained in the positioned configuration until moved again by the user. The various configurations will exhibit various flying characteristics and thus increase the enjoyment of the airplane 100. In addition, ends flaps 175 may be permanently formed in the wings or may also be defined as part of the end portions of the leaf spring 130.

From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. 

We claim:
 1. A toy airplane comprising: a body shaped to generally include a central body section, a nose, a tail section, and a pair of wings; a leaf spring secured to the body along the pair of wings; and a pair of fuselages positioned on either side of the body, each fuselage includes a head portion and an elongated member extending from the head portion, the head portions sized to receive at least a portion of the nose of the body and the elongated members positioned along the central body section of the body, the pair of fuselages further including attachments extending through the body to secure the pair of fuselages to each other, wherein the wings along with the leaf spring is configured to be bent and positioned into at least one configuration which because of the nature of the leaf spring are maintained in the at least one configuration until re-positioned.
 2. The airplane of claim 1 further comprising a weight having an aperture positioned theretrough, the weight positioned such that a pin extending from the head portion above the nose is configured to fit within the aperture.
 3. The airplane of claim 2 further comprising an elastic band positioned to be secured about the pin and having a portion thereof secured in the head portions of the fuselages.
 4. The airplane of claim 3, wherein at least one of the head portions includes a channel sized to permit the elastic band to extend there-through when the head portions are assembled.
 5. The airplane of claim 1, wherein the body is substantially planar and thus relatively flat.
 6. The toy airplane of claim 1, wherein the leaf spring is a layered flexible spring bands sealed within a cover.
 7. The toy airplane of claim 1, wherein the leaf spring is a layered flexible stainless steel bistable spring band.
 8. A toy airplane comprising: a body shaped to generally include a central body section, a nose, a tail section, and a pair of wings; a leaf spring secured to the body along the pair of wings, wherein the leaf spring is a layered flexible stainless steel bistable spring band; a pair of fuselages positioned on either side of the body, each fuselage includes a head portion and an elongated member extending from the head portion, the head portions sized to receive at least a portion of the nose of the body and the elongated members positioned along the central body section of the body, the pair of fuselages further including attachments extending through the body to secure the pair of fuselages to each other; and a weight having an aperture positioned theretrough, the weight positioned such that a pin extending from the head portion above the nose is configured to fit within the aperture, wherein the wings along with the leaf spring is configured to be bent and positioned into at least one configuration which because of the nature of the leaf spring are maintained in the at least one configuration until re-positioned.
 9. The airplane of claim 8 further comprising an elastic band positioned to be secured about the pin and having a portion thereof secured in the head portions of the fuselages.
 10. The airplane of claim 9, wherein at least one of the head portions includes a channel sized to permit the elastic band to extend there-through when the head portions are assembled.
 11. A toy airplane comprising: a fuselage body shaped to generally include a central body section, a nose, and a tail section; and a leaf spring secured to the fuselage and extending to form a pair of wings, wherein the leaf spring is a layered flexible stainless steel bistable spring band, and wherein the pair of wings defined by the leaf spring is configured to be bent and positioned into at least one configuration which because of the nature of the leaf spring are maintained in the at least one configuration until re-positioned.
 12. The airplane of claim 11, wherein the fuselage body further includes a pair of fuselage wings with the leaf spring being secured to the fuselage wings.
 13. The airplane of claim 12 further comprising: a top fuselage section and a bottom fuselage section secured to either side of the fuselage body, each fuselage section includes a head portion and an elongated member extending from the head portion, the head portions sized to receive at least a portion of the nose and the elongated members positioned along the central body section, the pair of fuselage sections further including attachments extending through the body to secure the pair of fuselage sections to each other.
 14. The airplane of claim 13 further comprising a weight having an aperture positioned theretrough, the weight positioned such that a pin extending from the head portion above the nose is configured to fit within the aperture.
 14. The airplane of claim 14 further comprising an elastic band positioned to be secured about the pin and having a portion thereof secured in the head portions of the fuselage sections.
 15. The airplane of claim 14, wherein at least one of the head portions includes a channel sized to permit the elastic band to extend there-through when the head portions are assembled. 